Nickel package Q&A: 49ers tight end Vernon Davis

Each day, Times-Union sports writer Ryan O’Halloran throws five questions at a Super Bowl player. Davis, the sixth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and older brother of Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, has 345 catches for 4,351 yards. This postseason, he has 6 catches for 150 yards and a TD.

On the role former 49ers coach Mike Singletary played in shaping the current team:

“I think he did have a key role in helping to make us successful. When he was here, he helped mold us. That’s the one thing I appreciate about him is that he was always there for us and he stayed on us no matter what.”

On having receiver Randy Moss as a teammate for the first time this year:

“My locker is right next to his. He’s a great guy. I think people view him the wrong way. He’s a terrific guy in the locker room — funny, energetic, always puts a smile on your face and a lot of people don’t know that about him. I’m very thankful to have him as a part of this team.”

On his numbers this season — 41 catches for 578 yards — compared with last season — 67 catches for 792 yards:

“The difference between me now and when I first came in was that it was all about me. I came in with the attitude to catch passes and get statistics. I didn’t care about the team. I was about Vernon. Now I could care less about catching passes and getting statistics because I understand the team is much bigger.”

On the instant success of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has only nine starts:

“I was surprised at first, but when you look at Colin, he wants to be great. He’s one of those guys that will give up anything to be great at this game and at his position.”

On if he was aware of the Ravens growing up in Washington, D.C.:

“I was always a Washington Redskins fan, but I would see Baltimore Ravens fans all the time. And when I was at Maryland, I played with Ray Lewis’ brother [Keon Lattimore] so I would see Ray come through there.”